brave bulls
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Matador Gabriel Cevallos fights a bull with a cape during a bullfight in San Miguel, Ecuador January 10, 2015. Bullfighting has been a tradition in Ecuador for over 400 years since the Spanish brought it with them. A 2011 referendum "banned the killing of animals for show" in seven districts of Ecuador including in the Capitol city Quito. Since the referendum bullfighting has declined in the country, yet those who are part of generations of bullfighters continue the art. Cevallos's father was a matador and he continues his fathers art despite the unlikely future of bullfighting in Ecuador.
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Jose Luis Ramos trains at La Plaza de Toros Belmonte in Quito, Ecuador January 8, 2015. Ramos is training for an upcoming fight in San Miguel, Ecuador 160 miles south of Quito. Since a 2011 referendum "banned the killing of animals for show" in seven districts of Ecuador including in Quito bullfighting has declined. Ramos and others must travel to different cities such as San Miguel to compete. Some arenas in Quito have had to shut down, Plaza de Toros Belmonte remains open but the bullfight is different. Since the new law the bull must be killed outside the ring. This means the bull still charges the cape of the matador, is still stabbed with banderillas (colorful sticks with sharp metal spears at the end) yet he must be taken out of the ring before he is killed.
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Fermin Sanchez (left) and Jose Luis Ramos practice the art of bullfighting at La Plaza de Toros Belmonte in Quito, Ecuador January 6, 2015. Sanchez uses a pair of horns to act as the bull as Ramos practices his technique. Bullfighting has been a tradition in Ecuador for over 400 years since the Spanish brought it with them. A 2011 referendum "banned the killing of animals for show" in seven districts of Ecuador including in the Capitol city Quito. Since the referendum bullfighting has declined in the country, yet those who are part of generations of bullfighters continue the art.
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Jose Luis Ramos get ready for a bullfight in a hotel room in San Miguel, Ecuador January 10, 2015. Since a 2011 referendum "banned the killing of animals for show" in seven districts of Ecuador including in Quito bullfighting has declined. Ramos and others must travel to different cities such as San Miguel to compete. Ramos is a Banderillero, which means his job during the fight is to stab the bull with banderillas (colorful sticks with sharp metal spears at the end).
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Gabriel Cevallos (from left) Melina Parra and Jorge de Jesus "El Glison" pose for pictures before a bullfight in San Miguel, Ecuador January 10, 2015. Bullfighting has been a tradition in Ecuador for over 400 years since the Spanish brought it with them. A 2011 referendum "banned the killing of animals for show" in seven districts of Ecuador including in the Capitol city Quito. Since the referendum bullfighting has declined in the country, yet those who are part of generations of bullfighters continue the art. San Miguel, 160 miles south of Quito hosts a bullfight every year and they still kill the bull in the ring.
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To start a bullfight in San Miguel, Ecuador the matador and banderilleros parade in the ring January 10, 2015. A 2011 referendum "banned the killing of animals for show" in seven districts of Ecuador including in the Capitol city Quito. Bullfighter have to travel to other cities to compete in bullfights where they still kill the bull in the ring, such as San Miguel 160 miles south of Quito.
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Matador Gabriel Cevallos uses banderillas (colorful sticks with sharp metal spears at the end) to stab a bull during a fight in San Miguel, Ecuador January 10, 2015. Bullfighting has been a tradition in Ecuador for over 400 years since the Spanish brought it with them. A 2011 referendum "banned the killing of animals for show" in seven districts of Ecuador including in the Capitol city Quito. Since the referendum bullfighting has declined in the country, yet those who are part of generations of bullfighters continue the art. Cevallos's father was a matador and he continues his fathers art despite the unlikely future of bullfighting in Ecuador.
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Matador Gabriel Cevallos uses a makeshift bandage after being gored during a bullfight in San Miguel, Ecuador January 10, 2015. Cevallos was able to finish the fight and also kill another bull during his second fight of the day. Bullfighting has been a tradition in Ecuador for over 400 years since the Spanish brought it with them. A 2011 referendum "banned the killing of animals for show" in seven districts of Ecuador including in the Capitol city Quito. Since the referendum bullfighting has declined in the country, yet those who are part of generations of bullfighters continue the art. Cevallos's father was a matador and he continues his fathers art despite the unlikely future of bullfighting in Ecuador.
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A bull lies dead after bullfight in San Miguel, Ecuador January 10, 2015. A 2011 referendum "banned the killing of animals for show" in seven districts of Ecuador including in the Capitol city Quito. Bullfighter have to travel to other cities to compete in bullfights where they still kill the bull in the ring, such as San Miguel 160 miles south of Quito.
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Matador Gabriel Cevallos (middle) holds up his hat after defeating a bull in San Miguel, Ecuador January 10, 2015. Bullfighting has been a tradition in Ecuador for over 400 years since the Spanish brought it with them. A 2011 referendum "banned the killing of animals for show" in seven districts of Ecuador including in the Capitol city Quito. Since the referendum bullfighting has declined in the country, yet those who are part of generations of bullfighters continue the art. Cevallos's father, Eduardo (left), was a matador and he continues his fathers art despite the unlikely future of bullfighting in Ecuador.